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The Parliament of Sierra Leone has ratified a 15-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Public-Private Partnership concession agreement for the Online Business Registration System (OBRS) between the Government of Sierra Leone and Multi GIS E-Services SL Ltd, following approval by Cabinet.
The agreement is aimed at modernising and digitising the country’s business registration process, with authorities stating that it will make registration services more efficient, transparent, and accessible to entrepreneurs and investors.
Under the terms of the concession, Multi GIS E-Services SL Ltd will be responsible for developing, operating, and maintaining the Online Business Registration System throughout the duration of the agreement. At the end of the 15-year concession period, the system will be transferred back to the Sierra Leone Government.
Government officials say the initiative is expected to improve the ease of doing business by streamlining registration procedures, reducing administrative bottlenecks, and enhancing service delivery for businesses across the country. The move forms part of broader efforts to leverage technology and public-private partnerships to improve public services, attract investment, and stimulate private sector growth.
Supporters of the agreement argue that a fully digital registration system could reduce processing times, improve transparency, and make it easier for businesses to formalise their operations.
However, questions remain regarding the long-term implications of the concession arrangement. Key concerns include whether registration fees could increase to enable the private operator to recover its investment and generate profit, and whether businesses in rural areas with limited internet connectivity will be able to access the system effectively.
Other issues that may attract public scrutiny include the protection and management of business data, the accountability mechanisms in place to ensure reliable service delivery throughout the 15-year period, and whether the concession was awarded through a transparent and competitive procurement process.
As implementation moves forward, the success of the OBRS is likely to be measured by its ability to improve access, efficiency, affordability, and trust in Sierra Leone’s business registration process.
